How we see March Academy
A small, dedicated school, March Academy is of particular interest to families of students who have had trouble assimilating or accessing a conventionally delivered curriculum within a conventional teaching environment. Teachers are adept at helping students find a place within the social network of the school, feeling involved and valued, as well as supporting a range of learning differences. The program begins with empowering students, helping them become aware of their talents, and encouraging them to employ them within a group learning setting. Parents report a high level of satisfaction, and a common regret perhaps is not turning to the school sooner. Frequent, open commination between faculty and families is also prized.
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How March Academy sees itself
"March Academy is a dynamic learning environment that celebrates individual difference and teaches students to use their strengths to be effective learners. Small class sizes and experienced teachers create an environment that provides support and challenges students to achieve their true potential. Music, arts, nature, and daily physical activities are integral to educating the whole child. Through high expectations, recognizing learning styles and emphasizing the positive, we give each student a chance to shine."
"March Academy is a dynamic learning environment that celebrates individual difference and gives students the confidence to advocate for themselves and use their strengths to be effective learners. Our environment provides support and challenges students to achieve their true potential. Music, arts, nature, and daily physical activities are integral to educating the whole child. High expectations, recognizing learning styles and emphasizing the positive, give students a chance to shine."
"Families choose March Academy for our small setting, highly experienced educators, and enriched programming. Graduates report that March Academy helped them to better understand their strengths and needs as learners which gave them the confidence to be effective advocates for their learning in high school. Students appreciate and are prepared to embrace life-long learning."
"Families are often surprised by how much their child enjoys coming to school every day and what their child is capable of learning and doing. Parents are often delighted to report, ``We have finally gotten our child back.``
Children rise and often surpass the expectations set out for them. Families come to realize and appreciate that teachers at March Academy have clear, specific, just-right expectations which reflect in the self-confidence they see in their children."
"The program at March Academy has been carefully curated to enrich the whole child by including weekly opportunities for subjects such as Yoga, TaeKwonDo and Music which support the more academic areas such as Math and Language.
Despite the attention and support for individual student needs, our emphasis on working in and as part of a group of learners is critical to student development.
All experiences complement each other for the benefit of overall learning."
"Founded in 2003 to provide families with an alternative, progressive educational environment
30 children from grade 1 to 8
Large natural campus well-suited for outdoor learning opportunities
Small class sizes of 10 or less
Experienced Ontario certified teachers"
Daily outdoor education
Natural Setting
Large outdoor space
Natural setting
Classroom
Classroom
Meeting Place and Library
How people from the school’s community see March Academy
Top-down influence on the school’s direction and tone
Michael Kennedy, Principal
M.A., B.Ed., H.B.Sc., OCT with Special Education Specialist, Principal and Supervisory Officer Qualifications
An underlying tenet at March Academy is that education should provide children with a compass to guide them and support their ability to find their way, rather than a single road map that everyone must follow.
For 20 years, March Academy has worked to empower elementary aged students by helping them to understand how to find their way in a group learning environment. It challenges them and helps them grow, primarily by teaching them how to learn, while at the same time, helping them to respect and work with their peers.
March Academy celebrates individual difference, recognizes strengths and teaches students to use their strengths to be effective learners. Through high, reasonable expectations, by incorporating individual learning styles, by emphasizing the positive, and by teaching co-operation, we give each student a chance to shine and express their true potential.
Our students are excited, engaged, positive students. They develop qualities that allow them to become confident life long learners. We are extremely proud of our graduates, their growth and successes. We look forward to making you and yours part of our March Academy family.
If you’re considering a small school for your extroverted child, make sure it offers plenty of social opportunities, including the ability to seek out and interact with different peer groups. Since smaller schools have smaller and less diverse student populations than big schools, it can sometimes be more challenging for your child to find a like-minded group of friends—friends with similar interests, values, etc.
“It’s important to look at the social makeup of the school,” says Ruth Rumack of Ruth Rumack's Learning Space. "Is there enough variety that your child will have a group that they feel connected with? Because you want to have friends that are like-minded and you want to be in a social situation where you feel honoured and respected. Variety can also be found in extracurriculars, leadership programs, and sports activities, which tend to have kids with a wide range of personalities.”
Also, make sure a school’s teaching and learning approach is suitable for your social child. “For instance, a school focusing on individual learning instead of group learning may not play into your child’s strengths,” say Ann and Karen Wolff, Toronto-based education consultants at Wolff Educational Services. “You want to make sure the social, emotional, and academic realities of the classroom are a match for your child’s personality.”
Smaller schools often have small classrooms and tight-knit communities, which can make it easier for your introverted child to come out of their shell, make friends, and feel like they belong. Since they’re less socially overwhelming, your child should find it easier to navigate their social environment. And since they’re conducive to group work, small classes often have plenty of interaction, which can help your child develop critical interpersonal skills.
Of course, small schools normally have a less diverse student population than big schools, which can sometimes make it more challenging to find a group of like-minded peers—peers with similar personalities, interests, values, etc. This makes it especially important to ask a school about its extracurricular programs, which can help your introverted child establish an intimate social circle.
THE OUR KIDS REPORT: March Academy
Next steps to continue your research:
Continue researching March Academy with OurKids.net, or visit school website.